This has been on my mind quite a lot for the last few years - and although a bit darker than my usual postings I thought I'd try and articulate. I've been trying to keep things upbeat for the last few weeks - and mainly succeeding, but there are no words for how I feel with every news story that comes out of Syria. In March 2011 I had just finished work on an archaeological project in Jordan - and my parents decided to come over and explore Syria and Jordan. I had been pestering them to come to the Middle East since I first started traveling there in 2004. I absolutely adore the Middle East and I have been very fortunate to visit quite a bit of it over the years. We traveled through Syria on our own, using public transport, taxis and occasionally taking people up on their offers to drive us. We met people, drank tea, ate amazing food, saw amazing sites, smoked shisha and had a brilliant time. Other than the odd public protest and rally on a Friday there was absolutely no indication of what was to come. Looking back on it now, I am struck by just how normal everything was.

The Middle East is one of those places that has a bit of a stigma. If you haven't been there, you've probably only ever heard not great things about it. I'm here to shout from the roof tops that it is an awesome place, filled with some of the nicest, most generous, gorgeous people you will ever meet in your life. Not everyone is good, not everyone is bad, some are cheeky, some try it on, some are hilarious and some are downright dodgy. Its people. Its life. I haven't been back to the Middle East since 2011, work and life commitments haven't allowed it - but I miss it. When I am there I realise how little I need to live and be happy. I meet wonderful people who don't have much offer to give you the little they have. I always come home with an renewed appreciation of just "rich" I am and how little I need. It is my touch stone for reality. So when I hear people say negative things about Syrian asylum seekers and refugees, I find it really upsetting. I have no doubt these people would rush to feed, clothe and shelter you if the roles were reversed.

Unfortunately, there is only so much I can do all the way over here in Australia. I can donate money to great causes (Salaam Cultural Museum provide first response on-ground support for Syrian refugees in Jordan) and I can tell as many people as I possibly can my stories of Syria. The lovely, but sadly very human side to this disaster; stories of cheeky boys and taxi drivers, the little girls and boys calling out "Marhaba" (hello) and then giggling behind their hands when you respond, the guys roasting nuts who calls out "ahlenwasahlen" (Welcome). The eye doctor in Damascus who re-opened up his clinic at 9pm after having already gone home so Mum would have new glasses ready for our departure the next day..... ah. so many stories!!

The other thing I can do, is show them my photos of how Syria was, the craziness of the big cities, the normality of the day to day. So, so, so many photos! My plan was always to publish a book of photographs from Syria, its one of the reasons I took so many in 2011. So many people have said to me over the years "wow you take an awful lot of photos!"....but looking back on my catalogue of photos from 2011 - I am so happy I took as many as I did and I wish I could go back and take a heap more. Mainly of those amazing people.

I know this is a bit of a sombre post - and it is likely that no one is even reading this (please comment if you are - I'd love to know your thoughts ), but as someone who has spent some time over "there" (and I have so many friends who have spent even longer in Syria and surely have even more stories!!) I just wanted to share my thoughts and to share a little of the Syria that was before all we remember is the Syria of today.

Did you work at Pella in Jordan? I friend sent me your blog. We spent a lot of time in Syria between 1996 and 2006 and like yourself, have many stories and many many photos...the early ones not digitised. If you were looking to set up a collaborative project, taking peoples stories and images from Syria...would be happy to discuss/contribute.

We live in Lausanne, Switzerland...but are Australian. We worked on the Pella dig in 2001 and 2003. Travelled to Syria in 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006. Also we were in and out of Jordan, Eastern Turkey, Lebanon and Iran.

I do not have any of our Syria images on line, but happy to share if interested.

Best,
John & Mellisa

Reply

MissFire

7/9/2015 09:21:28

Hi John and Melissa,

I most certainly do work at Pella! I started working there in 2005, but worked on a number of other projects in the area before that. Thank you so much for your message - I hadn't thought about a collaborative project - but what a great idea! I will put some plans together and get back in touch. Thanks so much for stopping by!

MissFire, I have stumbled upon this and it is so beautiful, both in sentiment and visually. You need to send your insights to our Prime Minister! XX

Reply

missfire

7/9/2015 17:48:27

Thank you so much Sue!

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rose.lawrence

8/9/2015 07:49:04

I just want to thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories. I visited Turkey many years ago and was similarly struck by the generosity of the people there. Your words brought tears to my eyes. I think so many people think of refugees as a problem and worse, a threat. I hope your post is widely read and reminds those privileged to live in this country that refugees are people and as deserving of freedom to live as any of us.

Reply

MissFire

8/9/2015 09:20:58

Hi Rose,
Thank you so much for your lovely words. I have just returned from Turkey myself and can vouch for the lovely people there too! I am so overwhelmed by the amazing messages I have received due to this post. It brings me some solace that there ARE still lovely people out there in the world who want to help each other!